In case you’re a house cinema fan, Sony has dropped fairly the AV bombshell. Not content material with merely launching one or two new AV receivers, the Japanese tech large has simply unveiled 5 (sure 5!) brand-new fashions.
Now earlier than we get too carried away, there’s a slight catch. For the second at the very least, though these new fashions are headed for the US, for the remainder of the world, Europe and the UK, the roadmap isn’t fairly clear. We’ve reached out to Sony for clarification.
Whereas we look ahead to a response, there’s no hurt in trying, proper? Sony’s new ‘ES’ line of AV receivers accounts for 4 of the brand new fashions: STR-AZ1000ES ($1100), STR-AV3000ES ($1700), STR-AZ5000ES ($2100) and STR-AZ7000ES($3300).
In accordance with the press info, these fashions are aimed extra on the customized set up market and we’ll come to this quartet all in good time. The mannequin we’re notably excited by is the one which’s not within the ‘ES’ line, the STR-AN1000. On paper, and looking out on the price ticket ($900), it’s the extra standard all-rounder that ought to cater for many residence cinema fanatics with moderately priced techniques.
It’s a 7.2-channel AV receiver with a beneficiant energy score of 165W (into 6 ohms, 1kHz, 1ch, THD 0.9%).
HDMI 2.1 connectivity comes through six inputs (two for 8K and 4K@120Hz, 4 for simply 4K) and two outputs (each of which may cater for 8K and 4K@120Hz). VRR and ALLM are additionally on the spec sheet.
On the audio entrance, as you’d anticipate, there’s help for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based encompass codecs.
Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX is the most recent model of Sony’s speaker calibration system which comes with the amp, however the STR-AN1000 additionally gives 360 Spatial Sound Mapping. Right here, the amp makes use of the equipped calibration mic to measure the place of your audio system and create “a number of phantom audio system” with the intention to make you’re feeling extra immersed in what you’re watching. Or at the very least that’s what the Sony YouTube video we noticed claims.
On the image entrance, the amp will play properly with a number of HDR codecs, together with Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG and IMAX Enhanced.
Streaming smarts come courtesy of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Join and Apple AirPlay. The STR-AN1000 additionally ‘Works with Sonos’ which suggests, through the Sonos app, you’ll be able to energy the Sony up (or down), change inputs and management the amount too.
‘Acoustic Centre Sync’ means that you can use a Sony TV together with your centre speaker whereas ‘Centre Speaker Carry’ means that you can use the amp’s processing to lift the sound from a centre speaker if it’s positioned method beneath your display to match extra carefully what’s occurring on-screen.
Beneath the hood, there’s lots occurring too, together with the usage of high-grade parts within the amp’s DAC circuitry, whereas DSEE Final processing upscales audio to close high-resolution high quality – we’ve been impressed with comparable processing engines in Sony’s wi-fi headphones so we’re hoping for giant issues right here.
As talked about beforehand, transfer into the ‘ES’ vary and there’s extra of a customized set up slant with help for Savant, Crestron and Control4 and even distant monitoring so installers can resolve any potential points you may need.
Stepping as much as ES additionally brings better energy, versatility and channels on high of the bottom specs because the non-ES mannequin. You additionally get extra high-grade parts together with upgraded energy provide capacitors, an up to date warmth sink, an upgraded digital circuit and the usage of a brand new large-capacity energy transformer.
STR-AZ1000ES
7.2ch, 100 W + 100 W 8 ohms, 1 kHz, 2ch, THD 0.9%, 6 HDMI in (2 help 8K and 4K@120)
STR-AZ3000ES
9.2ch, 120W + 120W, 6 HDMI in (4 help 8K and 4K@120)
STR-AZ5000ES
11.2ch, 130W + 130W, 7 HDMI in (4 help 8K and 4K@120)
STR-AZ7000ES
13.2ch, 150W + 150W, 7 HDMI in (4 help 8K and 4K@120)
The AZ5000ES and AZ7000ES (pictured above) even have Twin Middle Speaker mode which does precisely what it says on the tin. In case your cinema room is large and one speaker isn’t sufficient you should use the Sony to attach two for a wider unfold of sound.
All 5 fashions can be found to pre-order within the US, with supply across the twenty seventh/twenty eighth February for the ES fashions and 1st/2nd March for the STR-AN1000.
After all, one amp lacking from this new vary is a substitute for the entry-level all-conquering STR-DN1080 which has received a number of What Hello-Fi? Awards through the years. Fingers crossed Sony nonetheless has another shock up its sleeve for the longer term…
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